Metallica has been named one of this year’s recipients of the Polar Music Prize.
Not to be confused with Canada’s Polaris Music Prize, the Swedish award honours two laureates – one from contemporary music and one from classical – each year. It comes with a cash prize of 1 million Swedish Krona (about $156,000 CAD).
“Receiving the Polar Music Prize is an incredible thing, it puts us in very distinguished company,” Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich said, in a statement. “It’s a great validation of everything that Metallica has done over the last 35 years.
“At the same time, we feel like we’re in our prime with a lot of good years ahead of us.”
Singer James Hetfield added: “I feel very honoured to be in such great company with the others who have accepted the Polar Music Prize. As myself and as Metallica I’m grateful to have this as part of our legacy, our history.”
Marie Ledin, managing director of the Polar Music Prize, said Metallica is “loved and admired by millions of hard rock fans across the globe” and “they have led where other bands have followed.”
Also being honoured this year is the Afghanistan National Institute of Music and its founder Dr. Ahmad Sarmast.
The Polar Music Prize will be presented on June 14 in Stockholm.
Previous recipients include Sting, Bjork, Paul Simon, Patti Smith, Chuck Berry.